Hinds advances to MACJC State Semifinals with a win over Northwest

For the first time in over a decade, a Hinds Community College Bulldog basketball team has won a playoff game.

The last time that the Bulldogs were in the MACJC State playoffs was in 2012, where they were defeated by Holmes Community College 73-64 in the opening round.

Fast forward to 2020, the No. 2 seeded Hinds Bulldogs, led by sophomores Dontrell McQuarter and Ladarius Marshall, dominated both sides of the ball as they defeated the No. 3 seeded Northwest Community College Rangers 81-55 in the first round of the MACJC State Playoffs.

McQuarter opened the game with a basket to give Hinds a 2-0 lead. Hinds would never relinquish their lead for the remainder of the game.

By the end of the first half, the Bulldogs had a commanding 20-point lead (42-22).

In the second half, the Bulldogs went on to increase their lead by as much as 27-points, which they reached with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

By the time of the final buzzer, Hinds had secured their spot in the semifinals with an 81-55 opening-round victory.

Much of Hinds success tonight stemmed from their defense. The Bulldogs held the Rangers to just 55 total points on just 29.9% shooting from the field.

“Defensively, we were on another level tonight,” said third-year head coach Yusef Fitzgerald. “That is a testament to the hard work we put in at practice on a daily basis.”

On offense, the Bulldogs shot a stellar 53% from the field. McQuarter led all scorers with 25 points while Marshall racked up 20 points of his own.

With the win, Hinds improved their overall season record to 15-7 and advanced to the MACJC State Semifinals.

“I’m proud of the way we competed tonight. We put some adversity on ourselves, fought through it with a next-man-up mentality, and were able to get a playoff win,” Fitzgerald said. “Now our only focus is the game on Wednesday.”

Hinds will play the No. 1 seeded Northeast Mississippi Community College (23-1) Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Scooba on the campus of East Mississippi Community College.

If the Bulldogs win Wednesday, they would solidify a spot in the MACJC State Playoff Championship game on Thursday, Feb. 27.

A Hinds team hasn’t been to the MACJC State Playoff Championship game since 2003, and the Bulldogs haven’t won a MACJC State Championship since 1990.